A “single-crested lizard” from Middle (or Late) Jurassic North West China. From Greek monos, “one” plus lophos, “crest”; referring to the single crest on the midline of the skull roof of a medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur. Formerly referred to as Jiangjunmiaosaurus. Named by Chinese paleontologist Xijin Zhao and Canadian paleontologist Philip J. Currie in 1994.